Another Question - Removing heater

[Deleted User]

Re my 54 Hornet sedan, can the entire heating system be taken out? I am beginning to wonder. I have removed the fan housing but don't see how the upper part of the heater system can come out. There is bad surface rust in that area and would like to treat it. I have removed all of the bolts I can see but it doesn't budge and I don't want to try and force it. HELP.



Doug

Clutchguy

dougc_portland wrote:

Re my 54 Hornet sedan, can the entire heating system be taken out? I am beginning to wonder. I have removed the fan housing but don't see how the upper part of the heater system can come out. There is bad surface rust in that area and would like to treat it. I have removed all of the bolts I can see but it doesn't budge and I don't want to try and force it. HELP.



Doug

Doug,you need to clarify what you are calling the entire system. There is the lower part which houses the heater fan. This has 4 phillips headed screws in it and also has the defrost tubes coming from it. Once this is removed it will expose the heater core. The coolant must be drained far enough to remove the heater hoses from the core under the hood. If you don't drain it,it will make a big mess. I have found it helpful after it has been drained to open the heater control valve and lightly blow compressed air into one of the heater hoses. this will blow the little remaining coolant out and into the block,thus making the coolant leakage from the core a minimum amount. Clean the goo usually found around both tubes after removing both heater hoses,being careful not to damage the heater core tubes. Return inside the car and take the 2 remaining phillips headed screws out. These are the screws in the middle. You will see a foam rubber gasket there[usually deterioted] and is attached to the outer perimeter of the heater core. Sometimes it is necessary to lightly pry the core out. Hope this helps.

[Deleted User]

dougc_portland wrote:

Re my 54 Hornet sedan, can the entire heating system be taken out? I am beginning to wonder. I have removed the fan housing but don't see how the upper part of the heater system can come out. There is bad surface rust in that area and would like to treat it. I have removed all of the bolts I can see but it doesn't budge and I don't want to try and force it. HELP.



Doug

You can not remove the upper part of the heater housing. Even though it has bolts in it, it is welded to the firewall. Remove the cowl vent door and you may repair the rust area but it's a big job. Walt.